Spike TV’s lone remaining scripted original The Shannara Chronicles will be dealing with a scheduling change from here on out, as the fantasy drama is set to air two episodes a week across the next three weeks. Rather than air into December, the series will expand to the 9:00 hour so that new episodes can air at 9:00 and 10:00 and the season can end November 22nd.
The move isn’t a great sign for Shannara, which was already staring down catastrophic 70%+ ratings declines caused by a nearly two-year hiatus and a network only a couple months away from a full rebrand. While cable isn’t like broadcast, where shows are pulled regularly and burn offs tend to congregate in the summer, if something is rated and prioritized low enough, they’re not shy about making a move like this.
On the one hand, airing in an earlier hour would give the show more time to attract Same Day viewers and allow Spike to see what it looks like away from the congested 10:00 hour. On the other, though, what Same Day gains it could make would be nullified by having itself as competition and the fact that Spike didn’t promote the season that well and seems to want the show off the schedule ASAP points toward this being a burn off.
It’s yet another Viacom show bit by the conglomerate’s long gestating restructuring amid ratings declines. Among the fellow recent victims are Daytime Divas, which was cancelled as VH1 opted to become a wholly unscripted network; Moonbeam City, which was moved to late night before being cancelled by Comedy Central; and Still the King, which was essentially burned off after CMT backed away from scripted.
You can check out the titles and descriptions of the two Shannara episodes that will air next week, as well as a combo promo Spike aired tonight, below.
9:00 “Paranor” – Wil and Mareth must confront a powerful Bandon.
10:00 “Crimson” – Time is of the essence when Wil and Mareth travel to uncharted territory to recover an item.
